So I’m having some doubts about a certain section of the Common App. I am proficient in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. My first language is Spanish, but academically I am at a lower level than I am in English. It is however, my first language. I’m still completely fluent, its just that in overall knowledge, I suppose that I’m “smarter” in English? As to Portuguese, I learned that by studying independently at home. I have studied it for two years, and practice it daily with natives. Is it wrong to list Portuguese when I have never taken a single class for it? I can read and write it, and speak very well. I guess my doubts as to whether to put it as a language in which I have proficiency is that I fear that college officials may look at my application and think I’m simply listing Portuguese because it’s similar to Spanish.
It isn’t a purely academic question. The check boxes are Speak, Read, Write, First Language, and Spoken at Home. You should be able to indicate which apply. There are kids who speak the first language at home, but didn’t learn writing skills and skip that box.
If you can speak Portuguese on more than just a casual level, (ie, more than minimal topics,) it might be fine to include. It doesn’t matter that Portuguese and Spanish are both Romance languages.